Maharashtrian culture|Cultural dress of Maharashtra|Traditional dress of Maharashtra

 Maharashtrain folk dress

The traditional costume of women in Maharashtra is a nine-yard long sari, called Nauvari. This sari bears a resemblance to male trousers. This specific style of draping does not require a petticoat or a slip beneath it. The Nauvari saris have a historical background.

 During the Maratha rule, women were entrusted with the grave responsibility of helping their male partners, at emergency period of wars. To facilitate easy movement, the Maharashtrian women then introduced the Nauvari saree.

The fabric of Nauvari Saree is usually cotton, and for special occasions, silk tops the priority list. Paithani sarees happen to be the treasured creation of Maharashtra`s textile-industry. The Paithani saree, invested with an 18 inch to 25 inch pallu, owes its origin to adept textile-designing.

The Brahmin ladies of Maharashtra wear sarees in a particular pattern where the pleats are located at or near the back and these are tucked in waist and the decked part of the saree is left open on the shoulder part. They use choli with the sarees and often polkas and blouses.